ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – A man accused of threatening middle school students in Ormond Beach while he was in Georgia has been arrested, according to police.
Kaveon Smith, 18, turned himself in Thursday evening in Ormond Beach on a felony warrant, accused of “making targeted threats toward specific Ormond Beach Middle School (OBMS) students,” Ormond Beach police said on social media.
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Smith faces a charge of written threats to kill or do bodily injury. He was booked around 8 p.m. Thursday and released about 24 hours later after posting $100,000 bail, records show.
According to police records, Smith is accused of making the threats largely via Instagram. A concerned parent had reportedly brought the content before a school faculty member, showing them a total of four Instagram Stories which included statements such as “don’t let ha get yall killed-bf” (sic) and two photos of a pistol, one of which depicted the barrel of the gun facing the camera.
Police records state the threats were being directed toward a group of friends, “all of whom were in fear of the defendant shooting them.” As far as a motive, “a romantic relationship” is mentioned, as well as details regarding rumors and alleged infidelity, but relevant passages remain heavily redacted.
The investigation began Saturday, Sept. 7, and has since reached conclusions including that there was no credible or immediate danger to the school or its students, police said, adding the department established and maintained contact with Smith and all relevant parties throughout.
Smith’s out-of-state location played a key factor in the length of the investigation, the post states.
In the social media post, Ormond Beach police Chief Robert Godfrey implored parents and guardians to stay involved in their child’s online conversations and activity.
“If you see or hear something suspicious, report it immediately to your local authorities. Early intervention can prevent potentially harmful situations,” Godfrey said in a statement. “(...) By regularly and openly discussing their activity, you may intercept cyberbullying, inappropriate content or conversations. It’s your responsibility to ensure they stay safe while having an online presence.”
Volusia County Public Schools on Friday issued the following joint statement with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office amid a rash of threats to public schools in Florida:
Safety is the number one priority of Volusia County Schools and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. The safety of your student, all students, and all school staff is a joint responsibility. Schools in Volusia County and around the state have experienced an increase in threats over the past week. VCS, VSO, and all of our local law enforcement partners thoroughly investigate every possible threat. Any students or individuals found responsible for making threats or spreading false information will face serious consequences. This includes disciplinary actions at the school level, such as suspension or expulsion, as well potential legal action, including arrest. We need the continued support of our parents and community members to reinforce the seriousness of these offenses with your children. Thank you for your partnership.
School safety & security message | Volusia County Schools and Volusia County Sheriff's Office on Facebook | Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
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